2009

Hamilton, ONT, Canada – The Texas Stars (8-4) were defeated by the Hamilton Bulldogs (9-4) 3-2 in overtime on Friday night in front of 2,977 fans at Copps Coliseum in Game 1of the Western Conference Finals. Hamilton leads the best of seven series 1-0. Forward Brock Trotter scored a power-play goal 14 seconds into overtime, lifting the Bulldogs over the Stars in the series opener. Trotter finished with two goals in the game. Stars rookie Jamie Benn scored two goals, as Texas dropped its first Game 1 in this year’s playoffs. Hamilton center David Desharnais scored and added two assists in the first win of the series for Hamilton. Hamilton goalie Curtis Sanford (2-0) stopped 18 Texas shots in the defeat. Texas goalie Matt Climie (1-0) made 35 saves in the overtime loss. Game 2 is at 1:00 pm (CDT) in Hamilton at Copps Coliseum.

Hamilton scored the first goal of the night just 5:22 into the opening period. The Bulldogs capitalized on an early power play, as center David Desharnais found a rebound in the Texas crease and snapped the puck past Stars goalie Matt Climie for his seventh goal of the playoffs. Texas countered with a power-play goal of its own at 11:01. Captain Landon Wilson sent a cross-ice pass to Jamie Benn in the Hamilton zone. Benn fired a wrist shot to the Bulldogs’ net, beating goalie Curtis Sanford five-hole and tying the game 1-1. Hamilton regained the lead prior to the end of the period at 15:23. Hamilton forward Aaron Palushaj set up Desharnais in the high-slot for a shot that was tipped on its way to the Texas net. Winger Brock Trotter was given credit for his sixth goal of the playoffs, pushing the Bulldogs back in front at 2-1.

Late in the second period, Texas scored its second power-play goal of the night. Defenseman Maxime Fortunus worked the puck from the right point to the left point for Dan Jancevski. The Stars defender sent a cross-ice pass the right-wing circle for Jamie Benn. The Texas rookie blasted a one-timer past Sanford for his second goal of the night and a 2-2 score at 18:15.

After a scoreless third period, the two teams headed to overtime. Just 14 seconds into the extra frame, the Bulldogs capitalized with their second power-play goal of the night. Desharnais played the puck to the crease and Trotter slid the rebound into the Texas net for his seventh goal of the playoffs for the 3-2 win. Trotter’s second goal of the night was also assisted by Ryan Russell.

Western Conference Finals Schedule (best of seven)

Game 1 –Texas 2 at Hamilton 3 (OT) (HAM leads series 1-0)

Game 2 – Sun., May 16 – Texas at Hamilton, 1:00 pm CT

Game 3 – Wed., May 19 – Hamilton at Texas, 7:30 pm CT

Game 4 – Fri., May 21 – Hamilton at Texas, 7:30 pm CT

*Game 5 – Sat., May 22 – Hamilton at Texas, 7:00 pm CT

*Game 6 – Mon., May 24 – Texas at Hamilton, 6:30 pm CT

*Game 7 – Wed., May 26 – Texas at Hamilton, 6:30 pm CT

*if necessary

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals will be at 2:00 pm (ET) in Hamilton. The series will then shift to Cedar Park, TX for Games 3 through 5. Game 3 will be on Wednesday, May 19th at 7:30 PM at Cedar Park Center, followed by Game 4 on Friday, May 21st at 7:30 pm. If needed, Game 5 will be on Saturday, May 22nd at 7:00 pm at Cedar Park Center. If necessary, Games 6 and 7 would be played back in Hamilton, starting with Game 6 on Monday, May 24th at 7:30 PM (ET). Game 7 is slated for Wednesday, May 26th at 7:30 PM (ET)

To purchase a Calder Cup playoff package, which offers fans the same seat for all 16 possible home games, fans may call 512-GO-STARS. To rent a suite for a home playoff game or book a group, those interested may call 512-GO-STARS. Individual tickets for playoff games at Cedar Park Center also can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, visiting any Ticketmaster outlet or the Cedar Park Center box office, or online at ticketmaster.com.

2010-11 Season ticket packages to see the Stars play in their second season at the Cedar Park Center are on sale now, starting as low as $12.00 a seat. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com. Anyone interested in purchasing season tickets, suites, group tickets or mini-plans may call the Texas Stars front office.

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BECOME A TEXAS STARS SEASON TICKET HOLDER
For more info on season ticket packages call 512-GO STARS, e-mail tickets@texasstarshockey.com or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com.

TEXAS STARS IN THE COMMUNITY
To schedule an event contact Ashley Anderson, Director of Marketing and Community Relations at 512-600-5014 or e-mail aanderson@texasstarshockey.com.

Located at the intersection of New Hope Drive and Toll Road 183-A, north of Austin, Cedar Park Center is a multi-use facility, with 6,800 seats available for hockey and 8,700 for concerts and other events. Cedar Park Center has 24 suites (including four party suites) and 545 club seats and a private club lounge. A retail site of 17 acres is adjacent to the facility grounds for mixed-use development, including 91,000 square feet for retail and 91,000 square feet for commercial, developed by Hicks Cedar Park, LLC.